Michael Castle

OP-ED Media Portrayal

There have been thousands of extensive media coverages over the Paris Attack. It is hard
to find a news outlet that hasnt sent reporters and covered the attack. I feel like though the media
has not portrayed the attackers correctly though. For most news sources, I feel like the media has
been too soft on the attackers in Paris instead of calling them out for what they are, cowards who
are hiding behind religion.
In a CNN article, one of the attackers is talked about as if he was forced into his crimes
by a desire to be a better Muslim. The article quotes him saying I was ready to go and die in
battle," and "I got this idea when I saw the injustices shown by television on what was going on
over there. I am speaking about the torture that the Americans have inflicted on the Iraqis
(Martinez). To me this seems like an excuse rather than trying to expose this attacker. He is
trying to make America sound like a bad guy and the driving force behind his attack, and that he
was overwhelmed by compulsion to act out and attack. Whether or not he felt this, there are
flaws in his logic. First, he attacked a Paris newspaper that had not affiliation with America. The
same newspaper had attacked different facets of America, including the president of the United
States. Secondly, if he felt as if there were injustices happening in Iraq, there are far more
positive ways to address the issue. He could have joined many groups that are trying legal ways
to end American conflict in Iraq. With his attack he has effectively done the opposite of what he
stated was his reason for the attack. Military conflict will only be heightened by this attack
because the Middle East is seen as a greater threat than ever now that once again Jihadist with a
Muslim background has attacked another Western City.

Michael Castle

The media also doesnt address enough that the attackers are merely hiding behind Islam,
and not practicing the faith peacefully as over a billion people do. While the media talks about
how the attackers faith was behind the attacks, many Islamic leaders have condemned the
attacks. According to World Bulletin, Muslim scholars responded to the attack on the French
satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo which earlier this week killed 12 and injured 10. They have
slammed the incident as un-Islamic and have condemned the attackers, saying that they
perpetrators, betrayed and tainted" Islam rather than defended it. As well as condemning the
attacks, the scholars have also expressed their concern about the damage it causes to Islam and to
Muslims in general. (World Bulletin). This shows that many Islamic leaders are able to see past
the smoke screen of religion that the attackers are hiding behind, but many media sources are not

Michael Castle

able to see past this, or just dont want to face the truth.

Michael Castle

Im not aware of any religion that preaches the morality of gunning down innocent people in the
streets in order to cause terror. These actions are not taught in Islam, or any other modern
religion that I am aware of.
So while the media might continue to let these terrorist hide behind religion, people
others such as Islamic leaders will continue to speak the truth. The solution to this problem is for
media outlets to take risks. While some political correctness in media might not be a bad thing, I
dont feel that trying to not offend anyone is the way to report news. These news outlets should
be more focused on the truth of the situation instead of trying to write stories that will leave
everyone happy. The truth of matter is that true stories might offend some people, but the media
should feel an obligation to write true stories for their viewers instead of trying to be too
politically correct.

Michael Castle

Sources

Martinez. (n.d.). France attacks: Who were suspects? - CNN.com. Retrieved April 18, 2015, from
http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/08/europe/paris-charlie-hebdo-shootingsuspects/index.html

Muslim scholars condemn Paris attacks - World Bulletin. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2015, from
http://www.worldbulletin.net/muslim-world/152666/muslim-scholars-condemn-parisattacks

Bing. (n.d.). Retrieved April 18, 2015, from http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=paris

attackers&qs=n&form=QBIR&pq=paris attackers&sc=8-15&sp=1&sk=#view=detail&id=46787AF83EF51C925AD5A3823739103B59FC1B80&selected
Index=0

Michael Castle